Phil and Sara Hoechst started Hop Haus Brewing Company in 2015, opening their first location on Main Street in Verona, Wisconsin. Although they opened with just four beers on tap, they were in high demand. They quickly ran out of fermenter space, and ordered two more vessels to increase beer production. Fast forward to 2017, business continued to be strong and Hop Haus beer was being canned, packaged and headed off to distribution. Good things were brewing!
With a loyal following and continued demand, the Hoechsts were ready to expand, and plans started to take shape. After finding their desired location in Fitchburg, it was all systems go. Utilizing a SBA 504 loan with WBD and financing from State Bank of Cross Plains, construction on the second Hop Haus location began. They now have a beautiful new facility in Fitchburg with a loan secured with long-term fixed rates. In the process they've helped to create jobs and have provided economic benefits to Dane County.
WBD: Thank you Sara for working with us on financing for your second location. You've grown a lot since you first opened. What does the Hop Haus offer now in terms of products and services compared to your start with just four beers on tap?
"We still produce our own beer on-site, as well as offer a full restaurant experience with fresh made food, full bar, rooftop patio and private event space."
WBD: What is unique about your business and what makes you different than your competitors?
"At Hop Haus we handcraft exceptional, inspired and unique beers by combining equal parts science and artistry. Sparked by a belief that every community deserves a place to gather and come together as neighbors to enjoy a pint of beer and worthwhile conversation. We truly want to put out a quality product in our beer, our food and our service."
WBD: What are the trends and changes that affect your industry and how have you adjusted to them?
"Beer trends are always changing and new styles emerging, so we need to keep up with the new trends while still providing quality staples that people have come to love. Currently, one of the trends affecting our industry is skyrocketing cost of goods on both the beer and food side so we are finding ways to offer quality products without skyrocketing our costs to customers. Changing menus more often & being willing to try new things and see what more we can do in-house to lower the cost of raw goods has been working so far."
WBD: How did you hear about WBD? Did we make the process easy to understand?
"We heard about WBD through our bank, State Bank of Cross Plains. We worked with Nick Drewson, and he was always available and willing to explain and take the time to help us through the process when needed."
WBD: Do you feel like you made a good decision working with WBD and would you recommend us to other borrowers?
"WBD has been a great partner, and in very challenging financial times in both getting this project started and sustaining it. We live in a county that is still fairly shut down two years into Covid and as a brewpub it's been a very difficult financial climate but we've made it this far and are excited for things to finally start opening up so we can really see what our dreams can do.
We worked with WBD during undoubtably the most uncertain time of my lifetime. The world was turned upside down essentially overnight and no one knew what was going to happen, at all. It was not easy, and there were multiple times we thought this might not happen. But in the end, everything got done - the financing, the project, all of it. If WBD could help us get through this financing and project during times like Covid, I have all the confidence in the world in them for any viable project."
Congratulations and thank you to the Hoechsts for their partnership in working with WBD and State Bank of Cross Plains. We wish you the best of luck and thank you for sharing your experience with us. For our readers, please visit https://www.hophausbrewing.com/ for more information. And remember to support your local small businesses.
